Keeping spirits bright with teamwork, pride

This year’s giant wreath adorning the west side of City Hall is not only a symbol of the season – it’s a symbol of teamwork and fire mitigation. 

The 16-foot circle of pine and fir boughs was assembled from tree limbs cut on Knox Mountain this fall during fire mitigation work, pinecones included. 

From wildfire risk to holiday cheer

“This specific project was done by a combination of BC Wildfire Service and Parks staff,” said Thomas Martin, Urban Forestry Technician with the City of Kelowna. “Trees were thinned as part of this work to reduce the wildfire risk in Knox Mountain Park. The greenhouse team came in after to gather the cut limbs off some of the thinned trees.” 

In all, the Parks crew “recycled” seven truckloads of Ponderosa Pine and Douglas Fir boughs from the Knox Mountain Fuel modification project.  

“We have an amazing team of Greenhouse staff that look forward to building the wreath every year the old-fashioned way,” said Geoff Milan, Greenhouse Forman with the City of Kelowna. 

He says the wreath has a 20-year history in Kelowna. 

“The wreath’s metal frame was built by hand by one of the City mechanics around 20 years ago,” said Milan. “It is constructed in two halves at the Parks Yard, then lifted and transported and was carefully installed this year with the expertise of the City’s Hiab crane truck operator Kelly Holitzki.” 

Milan says the wreath is usually made from prunings City gardeners collect at the end of the growing season. 

“The past few years, we have used prunings from throughout the City from the gardeners as a way of recycling the pruned branches,” he said. “This year, the timing was perfect with the fire mitigation Thomas and team was doing up at Knox, so we used the cut limbs from the work up there. Hopefully in the future we can continue to time one of the fire mitigation jobs in the fall and build the wreath this way again.” 

Spreading holiday spirit across Kelowna

With the rink at Stuart Park in full swing and holiday decorations festooning lampposts throughout Kelowna’s urban areas, it’s a time of year when the behind-the-scenes work of City employees is put on full display. 

As the eye-candy of lush, colourful gardens enjoyed for three seasons in Kelowna give way to the grey days of winter, these festive pieces assembled with pride help keep spirits bright. 

“I have been told that there are many pictures taken every year by residents in front of the wreath,” said Milan – a good sign that the work done to create beautiful public spaces is noticed and appreciated.